James going home again is about humanity more than anything else, about a 29-year-old from Akron, Ohio, who always loved the place that lost so much love for him four years ago and was willing to do the seemingly unthinkable to right the wrong of his summer 2010. Anyone who was there Dec. 2, 2010, when James went to Cleveland for the first time in a Miami Heat uniform would have bet their mortgage that he could never return.

The venom was real, and James' defiant ways at the time only fueled this fire that made for such a sad scene. When reporters asked him whether or not he felt the need to apologize for the way he had announced his Decision, he did not. When the boos grew louder during that game, he grinned.

Cavaliers fans were hurt, and not in the sort of faux outrage way that is so often a part of the fan experience. Their "Mistake by the Lake" city had enough problems with national perception as it was, and here came this wolf in sheep's clothing, this modern day Art Modell, to embarrass them on national television by saying he was skipping town.

"He had no right to disrespect our city like that," one Cavaliers fan told me at a bar outside the Quicken Loans Arena not long before tipoff of James' first return.

"It's a slap in the face, a joke," said his friend who sat nearby.

From that to this? Unreal.

WATCH: WHAT DOES LEBRON'S ARRIVAL MEAN FOR ANDREW WIGGINS?

USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down what LeBron's decision means for the rest of the Eastern Conference.

But it's like his personal website, the one many expected to be the platform for The Decision II, said, "Just a kid from Akron, Ohio." This big old kid wanted to inspire, wanted to make his family happy, from his wife, Savannah, to his two sons and the daughter who is on the way. And as he said, he'll now go to work trying to turn the intriguing Cavaliers team into a title contender.

He will take heat for this, and we're not talking about the kind coming from the Heat teammates he left behind. Owner Micky Arison was classy in his response on Twitter, thanking James for his time despite being "shocked."

I am shocked & disappointed in today's news. However I will never forget what Lebron brought us for 4 years. Thanks for memories @KingJames

Around the league, though, there is concern for the message that this sends in relation to the owner who somehow gets rewarded for all his boorish behavior. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was out of line with his infamous letter scolding James when he left, and he never admitted the error in his ways to the degree that even James eventually did.

A person with knowledge of James' situation said that was still a part of James' decision-making process in this time leading up to his decision, that James had to reconcile that relationship and be sure he was comfortable being the bigger man by going back. The person requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the relationship

And now, remarkably, it's real. LeBron James is a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron James, it's safe to say, is a local hero again.

GALLERY: LeBron through the years

LeBron James. What's left to say? Four-time MVP. Two-time champion. Gold medalist. Flip through this gallery for some of the most memorable images of King James' career. (Photo: David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)

LeBron James. What's left to say? Four-time MVP. Two-time champion. Gold medalist. Flip through this gallery for some of the most memorable images of King James' career. (Photo: Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports)

LeBron James scored Cleveland's final 25 points as the Cavaliers outlasted the Pistons 109-107 in double overtime of Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 on May 31, 2007. The Cavs overcame a 2-0 series deficit and won in six. (Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

In Cleveland, July 8, 2010, will forever be known for 'The Decision,' the day free agent LeBron James announced on ESPN that he was leaving the Cavaliers and taking his 'talents to South Beach' to join the Miami Heat. (Photo: Bob Luckey, Greenwich Time via AP)

After finishing with 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in Game 5 of NBA Finals, LeBron James was not only able to hoist his first NBA championship trophy, he also was named MVP of the 2012 NBA Finals. (Photo: Derick E. Hingle, US Presswire)

Right after he won an NBA title with the Heat, LeBron James was able to drape himself in the American flag after the USA defeated Spain 107-100 in the men's basketball gold medal game at the London Olympics. (Photo: Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports)

South Beach hasn't always been fun and games for LeBron James. Here he walks off the court after Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on June 12, 2011. The Mavericks won 105-95 to win the series. (Photo: Lynne Sladky, AP)

Before he left for Miami, LeBron James (23), celebrating with teammate Sasha Pavlovic after hitting the game winning three pointer against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, was perhaps the most popular athlete in Cleveland sports history. (Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

LeBron was ruled ineligible and the end of his senior year by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, because he accepted free sports jerseys, bringing a sudden end to the basketball star's celebrated high school career. (Photo: Tony Dejak, AP)

The final piece of hardware for King James' 'corination' as an NBA champion came opening night of the 2012-13 season when LeBron James and his Heat teammates were given their championship rings during a ceremony before a game against the Celtics, on Oct. 30, 2012, in Miami. (Photo: J Pat Carter, AP)

Workmen remove a large mural of LeBron James from a building in downtown Cleveland on July 10, 2010 after James, who had played seven years for the Cavaliers, signed with the Miami Heat after becoming a free agent. (Photo: Mark Duncan, AP)

Heat forward LeBron James (6) celebrates with teammate Dwyane Wade (3) after winning the NBA championship in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena. The Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106. (Photo: Steve Mitchell, US Presswire)

Before the Big Three of Dwyane Wade, left, Chris Bosh, center, and LeBron James, right, had played a single minute together, the Miami Heat threw an elaborate celebration at Miami's American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010. (Photo: Al Diaz, AP)

LeBron James and teammate Dwyane Wade are all smiles after their Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. The Miami Heat will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)

It was during the event to introduce LeBron James, left, and Chris Bosh, right, as Dwyane Wade's newest teammates, that James made his infamous 'Not one, not two, not three ..." prediction about the number of championships the Heat's Big Three would win together. (Photo: J.Pat Carter, AP)

James' road to NBA stardom seemingly started while he was still in high school. As a standout for St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School in Akron, Ohio, James quickly earned "next big thing" status with sports magazine covers and recognition on the USA TODAY All-USA boys basketball team for three consecutive years. (Photo: Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports)

Despite a stinging playoff defeat in the 2007-08 Eastern Conference finals by his Cavaliers against the Celtics, LeBron James experienced victory in a busier-than-usual offseason, helping Team USA go undefeated on the way to the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. (Photo: Greg Pearson, USA TODAY Sports)

With the Cavs becoming semi-regular participants in the postseason, James' face became a familiar one in sports marketing. Nike, which signed James to a huge endorsement deal just before he turned pro, ramped up its promotion of its young star, creating a multi-generational fictional family 'The LeBrons' (Photo: Wieden and Kennedy)

Taking a look back at LeBron James' life, from high school superstar to four-time NBA MVP.

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

1999-2000 Season

FRESHMAN YEAR

Begins high school at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, leading the varsity team to an undefeated record and Division III state title as a freshman.

2000-2001 Season

Getty Images

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Led St. Vincent-St. Mary to a second consecutive Division III state title and became the first sophomore ever chosen for USA TODAY All-USA First Team.

2001-2002 Season

Sports Illustrated

JUNIOR YEAR

Became first high school player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the first junior to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year.

2002-2003 Season

Getty Images

SENIOR YEAR

Led St. Vincent-St. Mary to its third state title in four years, averaging 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals a game as a senior and becoming the only three-time USA TODAY All-USA First Team player.

Summer 2003

Getty Images

POST-HIGH SCHOOL

Won MVP awards at the McDonald's High School All-American Game, the EA Sports Roundball Classic and the Jordan Capital Classic.

June 23, 2003

Getty Images

NBA DRAFT

Declared for the NBA draft and was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the second high school player picked No. 1 after Kwame Brown in 2001.

2003-2004 Season

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Won the 2003-04 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Summer 2004

ATHENS OLYMPICS

Named to the disappointing bronze medalist U.S. Olympic team, where his attitude toward sitting on the bench under coach Larry Brown was seen as disrespectful.

January 19, 2005

TRIPLE-DOUBLE

Recorded his first triple-double on January 19, 2005.

2004-2005 Season

ALL-STAR

Selected for the NBA All-Star Game for first time.

February 19, 2006

ALL-STAR MVP

Became youngest-ever All-Star Game MVP at 21 years, 51 days old.

July 8, 2006

BIG MONEY

Signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with Cavaliers.

2007 Playoffs

FINALS BOUND

Reached his first NBA Finals with the Cavaliers, who were swept by Spurs. To make it there, James put up an all-time great postseason performance (scored 29 of Cleveland's last 30 points, including the game-winner) in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Detroit Pistons.

2007-2008 Season

PLAYOFFS DISAPPOINTMENT

Named All-Star Game MVP for the second time but lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics.

Summer 2008

BEIJING OLYMPICS

Won gold with Team USA at the Beijing Olympics, averaging 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists a game during the undefeated run.

2008-2009 Season

MVP

Named NBA MVP for the first time, becoming the first Cavaliers player to do so.

2008-2009 Season

MORE POSTSEASON DISAPPOINTMENT

Lost in the Eastern Conference finals to the Orlando Magic and left the court without shaking opponents' hands.

2009-2010 Season

SECOND MVP

Won his second MVP award but again lost in the second round to the Celtics.

July 8, 2010

THE DECISION

Became an unrestricted free agent and staged a TV special, "The Decision," to announce signing with the Miami Heat, where he joined friends and fellow Olympians Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

2010-2011 Season

THE BIG 3

Advanced to the NBA Finals and lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the Big 3's first season together.

2011-2012 Season

FINALLY, A RING

Named NBA MVP for a third time and defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, earning his first championship ring and Finals MVP.

Summer 2012

LONDON OLYMPICS

Took home a second consecutive Olympic gold medal, at the London Games, and recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic history.

2012-2013 Season

MVP NO. 4, RING NO. 2

Won his fourth MVP award, then beat the San Antonio Spurs in seven games in a memorable NBA Finals for his second Finals MVP and championship.

March 3, 2014

CAREER RECORD

Scored a career-high 61 points against the Charlotte Bobcats.

2013-2014 Season

NO THREE-PEAT

Earned a fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals, where the Heat lost to the Spurs in five games despite strong efforts from James.

June 24, 2014

FREE AGENCY

Informed the Heat that he would opt out of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent.

July 11, 2014

COMING HOME

After a free agency frenzy, James announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers via a letter in Sports Illustrated.